BROADCAST VIA FACEBOOK LIVE       SITE: CITY OF HIAWASSEE
OPEN TO PUBLIC – City Hall Training Room Upstairs

HIAWASSEE WORK SESSION AGENDA
June 28^th, 2021   6PM

1. Call to order
   • Invocation – Nancy Noblet 
   • Pledge of Allegiance 
   • Mayor’s Introductions of Guests and Announcements 
   • Approve the Agenda as distributed 
2. Old Business
   • Mayors Report
   • Final discussion on changes to Building/Planning Ordinance 
3. New Business
   • Alcohol Amenity Permit for TBird’s Nest 
   • Assignment of Tyler Osborn to DDA Board
   • Consent Agenda – June 1^st 
     • June 1st City Council Meeting Minutes 
     • June 28^thWork Session Minutes 
     • June 17^thPublic Hearing minutes
     • March Financials – Not received 

4. Police Report
5. Economic Development Update
6. Executive Session
7. Adjournment

HIAWASSEE WORK SESSION MINUTES
June 28^th, 2021   6PM

The City of Hiawassee May City Council meeting was called to order at 6PM on June 28^th, 2021 in the Upstairs Training Room at City Hall by Mayor Liz Ordiales. The meeting was broadcast over FaceBook Live.

Present in addition to the Mayor were Council members Anne Mitchell, Patsy Owens, Nancy Noblet, and Jay Chastain.  Council member Amy Barrett was not present. Staff present were Economic Development Director Denise McKay, City Clerk Bonnie Kendrick and Police Chief Paul Smith. 

The Invocation was given by Council member Nancy Noblet and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.  The Mayor welcomed several guest; The Golden Girls, Denise McKay’s 3 grandkids, 2 Boy Scouts from Troop 125.  Motion was made by Nancy Noblet to approve the agenda as distributed, second by Anne Mitchell, all in favor.  

In the mayor’s Report, the following items were presented.  Vaccination update for COVID-19.  Towns County is ahead of all surrounding counties.  Property Tax collections of 199,758 only 7 outstanding properties.  Water Department update showing leaks, pump house work, Hiawassee Hardware parking lot fix, Code Enforcement activity, Water Treatment plant boardwalk, Lloyd’s Landing use, Library on the square, Hometown Heroes program for 2021 candidates, Ukulele event at Brasstown Manor Senior Center, new light posts on the square including new bollards, new Georgia Municipal Association office complex, mention of having the Best Town Encounter on the AT trail on an AT Blog called “The Trek”, Paris Building update, award of a $600,000 Appalachian Regional Commission Grant, Spring and Summer events on the Square. The Mayor proposed a new look at the Townhouse development from Celtic Construction, Mountain View townhomes.  She proposed the change to the ordinance from 4 living structures to 6 living structures.  This would make the ordinance easily enforceable for ALL other properties in the City.   The height restriction would remain the same, the number of structures would remain the same, the only change would be 4 units per acres to 6 per acres.  Discussion was held regarding the traffic congestion in the area, density limitations, etc.  Several citizens expressed their concerns about those issues as well as riding the turn lane to make a left turn.  There was much discussion about GDOT and the traffic situation. There was also mention of the proposed I-3 project that was dismissed. The audience was in favor of the proposed change. Comments from audience commented that maybe it should be moved elsewhere.  Nancy Noblet expressed concern about what would be put there instead, such as a car wash, storage units or fast-food restaurants. The mayor stated the concern about the density calculation is to ensure that all properties were treated equally. The mayor read the proposed new verbiage for the ordinance amendments. Townhouses are committed to be “for sale” only as expressed by Aaron Lawson, the developer. 

In the Police Report, Chief Smith presented current training hours required by state of 20 hours, we require 40.  We are using virtual academy training to provide additional training for development.  Thank you card received for Matthew Phillips who assisted a couple with kayak retrieval. 

Presentation of an alcohol amenity license for a new business in town T-Birds that will provide free tastings to customers. 

Nomination of Tyler Osborn to the DDA Board of directors for consideration next week.  He will be replacing Alec Therrell. 

Consent agenda consisting of June City Council and this work session minutes.  March financials were not available. 

Denis McKay presented Economic Development update consisting of First Friday, past and upcoming July 2^nd event, work being done my Mikayla Jerominick our summer intern from University of New Hampshire and Ribbon cutting on July 8^th at Blimpie plaza at 4PM for TBird’s Nest, Ashes to Ink tattoo parlor and ArtWorks new location.

There was no need for executive session.

Motion to adjourn was made by Council member Nancy Noblet, seconded by Council member Jay Chastain with all in favor.  Meeting adjourned at 6:49pm.